Meet John Ellis

Written by Linda Kirkpatrick on Sunday, June 30 2013.

John's broad smile is familiar throughout Evergreen, not just because he's a native of Evergreen but because he's known for being a goodwill ambassador everywhere around town. For years he sold advertising for the Canyon Courier and since then has become the face of Evergreen National Bank, both on the teller line as well as in his job as Director of Community Relations.

He's been recognized as outstanding volunteer in many arenas -- Ambassador of the Year for the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce and Volunteer of the Year for Evergreen Trout Unlimited and Blue Spruce Kiwanis. He's been active with the Evergreen Chamber for more than 40 years. As an ambassador for the Chamber, he's paired with new members to help make introductions to others and to ensure that they feel welcome in the business community. He's known for taking the time to listen and playing matchmaker, connecting people with nonprofits that suit their interest and skills.

He's on the Boards of Directors for Blue Spruce Kiwanis (a lifetime board member!), Evergreen Christian Outreach, the Big Chili Cook-off, Evergreen Metro Water District, and Leadership Evergreen. He's a past president of Evergreen Audubon and Nature Center. He also volunteers with Camp Comfort, a bereavement camp for children, a program sponsored by Mt. Evans Hospice.

He's a fly-fisher extraordinaire and teaches fly fishing for The Blue Quill Angler, often donating a personalized day on the stream for worthy causes.

He may be the most photographed person in Evergreen, whether it's shaking hands, handing out Halloween candy dressed as Pinnochio, holding a trout, at a ribbon cutting, flipping pancakes, dressed as a hillbilly serving chili, or cleaning up Bear Creek.

Girl Scout Morgan Hays considers him a moral leader "because he is a champion to our waters, community, and all businesses." And, as Morgan puts it, "If there was a mayor, I think he would definitely be a good person for it."